THIS 8,700-FOOT-HIGH Andean city has supported a thriving television industry for years. But over the last half-decade it has become an international entertainment center, drawing jet-setters with a taste for gourmet eateries, chic boutiques and contemporary galleries.

Though it's still a bit gritty, Bogotá is no longer a poster child for drug-fueled violence—and residents are living it up. They party with abandon, hitting bars and clubs in formerly shady areas like Zona Rosa. Local hipsters listen to indie bands at the roof terrace of nightclub Armando Records before hopping over to El Coq, a bar built around a tree. Even the historic quarter of La Candelaria—home to gothic churches and centuries-old Spanish-tiled houses—is now a bohemian enclave where you'll find graffiti murals, unexpected hybrids (like hair-salon-cum-gallery La Peluquería) and modern architecture, such as the Rogelio Salmona-designed Gabriel Garcia Márquez Cultural Center.

Photos: Visiting Bogotá, Colombia

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Up north, wealthier neighborhoods have transformed from strictly residential quarters into high-design culinary zones. Choose between Peruvian or French, tapas or comfort food in the gourmet district known as the Zona G. Or sit at one of the open-air cafes surrounding Parque de la 93, a grassy patch that is a popular meeting place for the well-heeled.

Bogotá's cultural calendar is perpetually full. The Bogotá International Book Fair just began. Rock al Parque, the biggest rock festival on the continent, heats up the end of June. The Bogotá Film Festival and Bogotá International Art Fair—ARTBO—will liven things up in October. But don't feel limited to major events; the city's cool year-round climate makes any season a welcome one.

History Lesson // Museo Nacional de Colombia. The museum was built in a colonial prison, with cells functioning as galleries. Permanent exhibitions focus on Colombia's art and history. There's also a nice cafe with seating in the courtyard. Carrera 7 No. 28-66; museonacional.gov.co

Gem of a Jeweler // Lee Wasson. A reputable emerald dealer, Lee is an American who has been in business for nearly 40 years. He offers good prices and does custom orders. Lee will come to your home or hotel. leewasson.com

Café Date // Il Pomeriggio. I usually order an espresso at this European-style cafe. They have Italian and Colombian coffees, as well as pastries and finger sandwiches. It's in the Centro Comercial Andino, a shopping mall with domestic and international brands. Centro Comercial Andino, Carrera 11 No. 82-01; 57-1-616-8616

Restaurant Row // Usaquén. A small town that was annexed by Bogotá, it has colonial architecture and pedestrian roads crowded with restaurants. We like 7,16, which specializes in steak and has a solid wine list. You enter through a garden. 7,16: Calle 119B No. 6-28; 57-1-213-4271

The Performer: John Leguizamo

Bogotá-born actor, producer and comedian

Live Music // El Sitio. Parque de la 93 is surrounded by bars and cafes. This place is small and gets packed, but people don't get aggro about space. Bands play reggae, cumbia and salsa, and everyone sings to the music. Carrera 11A No. 93B-12; elsitiobar.com

Luxe Leather // Mario Hernandez. He makes bags for women and men. The leather is buttery and the linings are cool. It's all really well constructed and made to last. Multiple locations, including Centro Comercial Andino, Carrera 11 No. 82-71; mariohernandez.com

Neighborhood to Watch // La Candelaria. The colonial part of Bogotá has colorful old homes with terra-cotta roofs, giant doors and balconies. A lot of artists have moved there.

Global Plays // Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá. This biannual spring festival takes over the city. You can see theater groups from all over the world—every genre, from free street theater to Broadway-type shows. Colombians are really into live performance. That's where I get my love of storytelling. festivaldeteatro.com.co

The Racer: Juan Pablo Montoya

Nascar driver, founder of the Bogotá-based Formula Smiles Foundation

Tee Time // San Andrés Golf Club. I play a lot of golf in Colombia; the Bogotá area has some incredible courses with views of the mountains. Kilómetro 2, vía La Punta, Funza; sanandresgolfclub.com

Authentic Fare // Club Colombia. Chef Harry Sassón has a bunch of really good restaurants in the city. But this is where I go when I want typical Colombian food—hearty soups, arepas, empanadas. It's inside a beautifully restored old house. Carrera 9, Avenida 82, No. 9-11; 57-1-249-5681

No Frills Dining // La Mazorca. A hole-in-the-wall restaurant located 20 minutes outside of the city—and worth the trip. People sit outdoors on tree trunks and order from a smoky grill. Whatever you get—carne asada, longanisa, plantains—it all arrives piled high on a big aluminum tray. Kilómetro 8, vía La Calera; 57-1-860-9286

Party Central // Andrés Carnes de Res. I don't go out much at night, but when we have friends in town and want to show them a good time we take them to Andrés. The décor is really eclectic, with all sorts of trinkets hanging from the ceiling. There's a dance floor, but people like to get up on the tables. Calle 82 No. 12-21; andrescarnederes.com

Day Trip // Guatavita. This colonial town is a couple of hours from the city center. We have a farm there, where I love to play with my dirt bikes and ATVs. Explorers thought the lake was the site of the legendary El Dorado.

The Fashionista: Nancy Gonzalez

Luxury handbag designer, born in Colombia

Old World Inn // Charleston Casa Medina. Bogotá's grand hotel—it was built in 1946 and elegantly decorated in colonial style. Presidents have stayed here. The service is impeccable. Carrera 7 No. 69A-22; hotelcharlestoncasamedina.com

Gobs of Gold // Museo del Oro. My favorite museum is full of pre-Columbian gold pieces. You can see how indigenous people were able to work with gold in such an artistic way. Their designs were so advanced, and the level of detail is inspiring. Calle 16 No. 5-41; banrepcultural.org/gold-museum

Uninterrupted Views // Cerro de Monserrate. This mountain in the center of Bogotá has incredible views of the city and the peaks that surround it. You get there on a funicular. At the top there's a church and a cozy restaurant, Casa San Isidro. cerromonserrate.com

Cool Crafts // Artesanías de Colombia. The shop carries crafts made in different regions of Colombia. They have rings made from tagua nuts, macramé shawls, black pottery, sisal baskets. As everything is handmade, no two items are the same. And it's all very refined and sophisticated. El Retiro Shopping Center, Calle 82 No. 11-75; artesaniasdecolombia.com.co

Plus Don't Miss...

Museo Botero Home to Fernando Botero's private collection, this colonial mansion displays the work of the Colombian maestro alongside canvases by the likes of Miró and Monet. banrepcultural.org/museo-botero//Mercado de las Pulgas Usaqén is liveliest on Sundays, when this flea market is held. Carrera 7, Calle 118//La PuertaFalsa Open since 1816, this family-owned eatery serves up a typical breakfast of tamales and chocolate santafereño (hot chocolate with a side of cheese). Calle 11 No. 6-50; 57-1-286-5091//Catedral de Sal A massive underground church carved out of a former salt mine, an hour north of Bogotá. catedraldesal.gov.co

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